Shirley Shedd
Hello! Evangel has been a big part of my life for the past 53 years. I came as a student in 1958. Since 1966 I have been active in the Evangel College Ladies Auxiliary (now part of the Association of Family and Friends although I am now first vice president of the local chapter of Evangel University Auxiliary). I was a fulltime professor in the Communication Department from 1981-2006. This was the most rewarding occupation I could have ever been placed in--and I believe the Lord put me in this place. I am thrilled to be working with our talented, energetic young people and see them go out into literally the four corners of our world as productive professionals and committed Christians.
I officially retired after the 2005-06 school year but continued to teach Degree Completion classes and traditional Mass Media Law.
Since August 2007, I have been serving as the Evangel archivist on a part-time basis. This has also been a natural fit because of my interest in Evangel, history, and photography. I am thoroughly enjoying this new chapter of my life.
Title: Professor Emeritus of Communication
Office: Evangel Archives/Library mezzanine
Professional Information: MA English SMSU 1976
BS English education, Evangel College 1962
Additional graduate work at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis; Central Missouri State University; University of Southern Mississippi.
I began my teaching career in 1962 as an English teacher at my home high school, Washington Park, in Racine, WI. I taught journalism at Central High School, Springfield, MO, from 1963-1969 with a one-year leave of absence after I had my first son. I was adviser for the weekly high school newspaper and the yearbook. In 1976, I began a five-year teaching stint at Central Bible College, teaching basic English and writing. I came on as a full-time teacher at Evangel in 1981 although I had taught a few classes part-time at Evangel prior to that.
Job Responsibilities:
Currently I am the Evangel archivist. I was the chair of the Communication Department from Fall 1987 through July 2006. I was adviser of the weekly college newspaper, The Lance, from 1981 to 2006, and adviser for the 1982, 1990 and 1991 yearbooks. I also was the adviser for the local chapter of the Society for Collegiate Journalists for 25 years and served as a national officer for a number of years.
I was a founding member of the Association for Christian Collegiate Media and served as vice president and president of the organization. I served on the Faculty Personnel Committee, Academic Council, College Planning Council, 50th Anniversary Commemoration Committee, Heritage Committee, Artist and Lectureship Committee, Communication Committee, and miscellaneous other committees at Evangel. I taught in the Summer Academy in 2003 and 2004.
Org Memberships:
While I was teaching fulltime, I was a member of College Media Advisers (CMA)
Associate chair of the Private and Church-Related Colleges Comm
Society of Collegiate Journalists (SCJ)
Second vice president
Association of Christian Collegiate Media (ACCM)
(Founding member)
Broadcast Education Association
Society of Professional Journalists
Courses Taught: I taught the following courses in the Communication Degree Completion program: Library and Research Skills, Intro to Mass Comm, Technical Writing, and Copy Editing. While in the traditional program, I taught Intro to Mass Comm, News Reporting and Editing, Editorial Writing, Feature Writing, Mass Media Law, Technical Writing, Magazine Editing and Production, Freshman Seminar, Newspaper Workshop, and Methods of Teaching Journalism.
I also taught Basic English Skills, Composition, and World Literature in the English area.
Publications: Have been published in Springfield! Magazine, Springfield News-Leader, Pentecostal Evangel, Missionettes Memos (now Club Connection), Women's Touch, Motif, Sunday School Counselor, Superintendent's Planner, C.A. Herald, Feedback (Broadcast Education Association magazine), plus many publications in Assemblies of God curriculum. In addition, I have written for the Springfield Business Journal. Since I have retired, I have also been doing free lance editing and writing.
Started Work: Full-time at Evangel in Fall 1981
Favorite Thing About Work: The students! They are wonderful. I love the interaction I can have with them. It is also a blessing to work in a Christian atmosphere with caring colleagues.
Was an Evangel Student: From 1958-62
Favorite Memory as a Student: My favorite memory is that of our Sophomore Sneak (under the direction of George Wood, class president) where the whole sophomore class went to a retreat place just outside of Springfield for the day. None of us could afford to miss Dr. Thurman Vanzant's Bible class, so George convinced him to come out to the retreat and teach the class. We were the first and only sophomore class to have a "sneak." They were strictly outlawed after that except for senior classes!
Originally From: Racine, WI
Personal Information: I met my husband, A. Glenroy Shedd, at Evangel. He was editor of the newspaper, and I was editor of the yearbook. Our senior year, Glen was president of the Student Government and I was secretary. Glen was president of the Alumni Association for a number of years, introducing the concept of the Alumni Board of Directors. Later I served on the Alumni Board of Directors. We have lived in Springfield our whole married life (48 years) and have 3 children (Rev. Brad Shedd, associate pastor at Harvest Assembly in Chesapeake, VA; Dr. Tim Shedd, associate professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Wisconsin, Madison; and Dr. Christy (Shedd) Wiebe, pharmacist with St. John's Health Plans and director of the Phamaco-Therapy Management area in Springfield, MO. We have 12 grandchildren--eight granddaughters and four grandsons.
My absolute favorite thing to do is read -- basically anything, including cereal boxes!
I love to travel. I have been to all 50 states except Hawaii and Oregon. Glen and I have also traveled abroad, so far having visited 23 different countries on three continents. I take lots of photos, both on trips--and anywhere! I also collect butterfly items, magnets and bells.
Other: Five (actually six) Top Strengths
1. Learner
2. Context
3. Developer
4. Input
5. Relator
6. Connectedness
Links:
Introduction to Mass Comm Syllabus
COMA 290 syllabus
COMA 290 assignments.doc
News Reporting/Copyediting Syllabus